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Understanding the Health Concerns of Senior Adults

February 04, 2015 By
Greg and Hilary Eldridge

Home Care in Johns Creek, GA – Health Concerns of Senior Adults

The risks for some illnesses increase with age. These would include stroke, heart attack, diabetes, dementia, chronic pain, lung disease and some types of cancer. It’s well known that living a healthy lifestyle helps reduce the risks for these medical problems. Some of the common problems facing today’s elderly include conditions that could be brought on by disease or another medical problem. They are as follows:

Inadequate Nutrition

The older years is not a time to ‘let them eat whatever they want. They’ve earned it.’ This is common but faulty thinking. The opposite is true, because it’s more important than ever to eat the right foods to maintain energy levels and stay healthy at this time of life. Eating a nutritious diet can prove challenging for many seniors, however. There are changes in smell and taste which are great factors in appetite. There may be slower digestion and lower metabolism rates, so food isn’t processed the same as it used to be. They may also have trouble making their own healthy meals each day.

Lack of Exercise

Since physical exercise and daily movement is important for the body to stay in good shape, ward off infection and keep the immune system operating at optimal levels, it’s important to ensure your loved one is participating in regular exercise. It also improves mental function, helps to relieve chronic pain and reduces risk of many chronic diseases. Participating in stretching, strength and flexibility activities also assists in retaining good balance and lowers fall risks.

Balance Disorders

Dizziness or vertigo are common among some of the elderly population. If your loved one is experiencing these issues, a visit to the doctor is a good idea. Pinpointing the cause of vertigo can help with treatment and raise their quality of life.

Memory Problems

Significant memory decline is not a normal part of aging, although some memory lapses are expected. When memory problems are accompanied by cognitive function decline and the inability to carry on in life as normal, it may be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Trouble Sleeping

Lack of sleep is reported as a common problem in the population group age 60+. “Many older adults do not get enough sleep. Insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) and excessive daytime sleepiness are common problems. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, enlarged prostate), which affects as many as 90 percent of men in their 70s and 80s, can cause frequent nighttime urination that disrupts sleep.